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National Jewish Health (U.S.)

 Organization

Biography

In the late nineteenth century, Denver, Colorado, faced a severe social problem when hundreds of people severely ill with tuberculosis converged on the city, attracted by the reputation Denver had already acquired as the "world's sanatorium." Because of the onslaught of consumptives, beds for patients in city and state general hospitals were so scarce that the poor were frequently left to their own devices, often dying in the streets. One of the first people to conceive of a free hospital for the indigent tuberculosis victims in Denver was Frances Wisebart Jacobs. She launched a relentless campaign to arouse public awareness on behalf of the indigent consumptives, seeking the support of business people and political leaders to raise funds for a new hospital. Jacobs found an ally in a young rabbi, William Sterne Friedman. Rabbi Friedman enlisted the financial support of some of the trustees of his congregation, Temple Emanuel, insisting that concern for the sick and indigent had always been a vital tenet of Jewish tradition. The original hospital, the Frances Jacobs Hospital, was not completed because of the silver panic of 1893. The hospital received financial assistance from the International Order of B'nai B'rith. This vital support came mainly through the efforts of Louis Anfenger, a local Jewish citizen who was also a founder of both Temple Emanuel and the Denver chapter of B'nai B'rith. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH) opened its doors to Jews and gentiles alike in 1899 as the first sanatorium in Denver for tuberculosis victims. Samuel Grabfelder of Louisville, Kentucky served as president from 1899-1920; Seraphine Pisko was executive secretary (Director) from 1911-1938. Some of the physicians associated with the hospital included Dr. Saling Simon, Dr. Robert Levy, and Dr. John Elsner. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest.

As a result of national support, NJH introduced a revolutionary concept to tuberculosis treatment by offering free services to indigent consumptives. The motto was, "None can pay who enter, and None who enter can pay." Only patients with incipient tuberculosis, where treatment could be most effective, were to be admitted to NJH, and the length of stay was limited to six months. These conditions reflect the medical opinion of the time and the scarcity of hospital beds for consumptives. It was commonly thought that attempting to treat advanced cases only wasted time and money that could be more profitably directed toward patients who had a good chance of recovery. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives changed its name several times, subsequently being known as National Jewish Hospital (1925-1964) and later becoming National Jewish Hospital and Research Center (1965-1977), National Jewish Hospital/National Asthma Center (after merging with National Asthma Center in 1978), and National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (1986-1996). In 1997, the organization changed its name to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and focused on lung, allergic and immune diseases. It was renamed National Jewish Health in July 2008. The facility continues to treat patients from throughout the country, using cutting-edge medicine and research.

Found in 1395 Collections and/or Records:

Box 129, 1973-1974

 File — Box B005.04.0129: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747541]
Identifier: B005.04.0129
Abstract

(1) unbound Ledger - Voucher Register, Nov. 1973- Mar. 1974.

Dates: 1973-1974

Box 130, 1933-1935

 File — Box B005.04.0130: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747583]
Identifier: B005.04.0130
Abstract

(1) Ledger - Payroll 1933-1934; (1) Ledger - Payroll 1934-1935. (National Jewish Hospital Records old box 220-221)

Dates: 1933-1935

Box 131, 1973

 File — Box B005.04.0131: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747575]
Identifier: B005.04.0131
Abstract

(1) unbound Ledger- Voucher Register, August-October 1973.

Dates: 1973

Box 132, 1918-1928

 File — Box B005.04.0132: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747591]
Identifier: B005.04.0132
Abstract

(1) Ledger- Payroll, 1923-1925; (1) Ledger- Payroll, 1922-1923; (1) Ledger- Payroll, 1921-1924; (1) Ledger- Payroll, 1918-1920; (1) Ledger- Payroll, 1924-1928.

Dates: 1918-1928

Box 133, 1930s

 File — Box B005.04.0133: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747622]
Identifier: B005.04.0133
Abstract

(1) Ledger- Investment Records, 1930s. (National Jewish Hospital Records old box 222)

Dates: 1930s

Box 134, 1925-1931

 File — Box B005.04.0134: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747606]
Identifier: B005.04.0134
Abstract

(6) Ledgers: Payroll, 1925-26; Payroll, 1926-27; Payroll, 1927-28; Payroll, 1928-29; Payroll, 1928-1930; Payroll, 1930-31. (National Jewish Hospital Records old boxes 214-219)

Dates: 1925-1931

Box 135, 1929-1948

 File — Box B005.04.0135: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747614]
Identifier: B005.04.0135
Abstract

(1) Ledger - Payroll, 1929-1931; (1) Ledger - Daily Cash Books, 1947-1948. (National Jewish Hospital Records old boxes 237-238)

Dates: 1929-1948

Box 136, 1908-1937

 File — Box B005.04.0136: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747648]
Identifier: B005.04.0136
Abstract

(5) Ledgers: Patient Cash Book, 1927-1932; Subscriptions for Women's Pavillion, 1908; Patient Cash Book, 1915-1937; Patient Cash Book, 1921-1924; Patient Cash Book, 1924-1928.

Dates: 1908-1937

Box 137, 1943-1946

 File — Box B005.04.0137: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747656]
Identifier: B005.04.0137
Abstract

(2) Ledgers: Daily Cash Book, 1945-1946; Daily Cash Book, 1943-1944.

Dates: 1943-1946

Box 138, 1928-1942

 File — Box B005.04.0138: Series B005.04 [Barcode: U186020747630]
Identifier: B005.04.0138
Abstract

(4) Ledgers: Patient Cash Book, 1928-1931; Patient Cash Book, 1931-33; Patient Cash Book 1932-38; Patient Cash Book 1935-1942.

Dates: 1928-1942